The Studio Bulldozer vs. the Indie Artist on the Internet

I, as the creator of an indie web series Clutch, have come to some realizations as of late about what is happening to artists on the internet.

2 years ago, 80% of web series were created by independent artists. This year that number dropped to 40%, with big studios behind the other 60%, and next year studios are expected to control 80-90% of comedic and dramatic series on the web.

This is a shame for a number of reasons, but the biggest one is exemplified to me as it is the reason we did our show as a web series - ratings. We made Clutch as a web series because as an NC-17 vehicle, it's a story that you couldn't tell on network tv. The internet has no real ratings, and it shouldn't. However, the material that the studios are releasing for the most part is watered down from what they might even put on tv. For instance, the Battlestar Galactica web series: Blood and Chrome, makes a point of humorously dodging swearing, not even as brash as the replacement trick they used when it was on television. Studios want to make mass appeal stuff that doesn't offend anyone. They also tend to rehash failed television pilots and slice them up as "web series".

That's fine if those shows are but one of the many offerings on the web, but said Studios are also partnering with all the main distribution platforms like YouTube, Google (same thing now) and Yahoo! to ensure that their stuff is the only stuff seen.

The particular shame in this, is it's happening at a time when indie web series are really coming into their own. There's dozens of amazing series that are far better stories and storytelling than anything I've seen on television that have all come out this year. But if they can't be easily found on the web, then they won't make it to anything but an astute internet user.

If you agree that this bulldozing by the studios of the indie projects has to be fought, you can help in one small way by helping us - we're trying to get a nomination at the Streamy Awards to stand up against the studio projects and show them that the indies count. You can cast a vote for my show Clutch at Streamys Twitter Voting Widget until Dec 1, and of course watch the show at Clutch website

I'd love to hear what people feel about this and ways that the indie artist can continue to thrive online.

Holy shit, spamvertising wrapped up as a semi-legitimate rant.

Nice!

So clever I almost fell for it.

Ok, no, actually I didn't, but it did make me think there might actually be a legitimate topic of discussion here.

The Internet is the great equalizer. As long as one can still put their creations up on a server somewhere and give people a link to it, I can't really complain. Does it suck that the majors have more money/leverage to throw at marketing and partnerships, sure. But that's probably always been the case in a capitalist society. Imagine how it used to be before the Internet. Many of the artists we love today would probably be complete unknowns under the old system. Looking at the bright side, so many more people can now have their voices be heard (even if it's harder to separate the signal from the noise).

I just feel that these days, regardless if content is independent or studio-backed, the cream rises to the top. Word-of-mouth is a hell of a thing.

^What he said. I'll now exercise my cynical right to ignore all things Clutch related.

Do you see what happens, Larry?

I have been seriously considering starting a web comic and when I saw this I thought it would e a great discussion of something that will have in impact on me if I do pull that trigger. After reading this my thoughts were, if I may be allowed to paraphrase the movie 'A Christmas Story', it's a crummy commercial. Son of a bitch!

And like FellOnEarth I shall also exercise my cynical right to ignore all things Clutch related.